Leash Law Loosened To Roust Geese

NEW BRITAIN — At the urging of an alderman who called the decision a ``no-brainer,'' the city council Wednesday voted unanimously to amend the municipal leash law for a single dog.

Approval of the resolution will allow the parks and recreation department to use the dog -- an Australian shepherd named Casey Jones -- to chase Canada geese. Large numbers of the migratory birds congregate around the ponds at Stanley Quarter and Martha Hart parks, leaving droppings that are not only an eyesore but unhealthy, officials say.

``It's a creative solution that addresses not only aesthetic, but health concerns as well and, guess what, it doesn't cost the city a dime,'' Alderman James Sullivan said. ``I can't for the life of me think of any reason you wouldn't want to support this.''

The plan was hatched by Bill DeMaio, acting director of the parks and recreation department, and approved by the parks and recreation commission this month. Casey Jones is the pet of Stanley Golf Course Superintendent John Napier, who has used her since she was a puppy to chase geese off his greens and fairways, DeMaio said.

The dog does not hurt the geese, just aggravates them enough to make them go elsewhere, DeMaio told council members. He estimated that 500 to 1,000 geese inhabit the banks of the pond at Stanley Quarter Park, each producing about a pound of feces a day.

``I'm getting so many complaints from youth and adult soccer leagues because it's not healthy,'' said DeMaio, noting that almost every golf course in the state has a dog to chase geese.

Alderman Richard Lopes expressed concerns about possible liability stemming from the arrangement, either from someone being bitten by the dog or the dog getting hurt.

His request to have a waiver drawn up for the dog drew laughter, but council Majority Leader Michael Trueworthy thought it would be a good idea.

``It might seem silly at this time, but accidents do happen and someone could sue the city,'' Trueworthy said.

Sullivan, who lives across the street from Napier, called Casey Jones a ``sweet dog'' that has never bitten anyone. DeMaio described the 48-pound dog as a ``playful puppy'' that rides around in a golf cart with Napier, cuts the geese off at his command, then jumps back in the cart.

Other methods of getting rid of the geese have failed, DeMaio said. Residents complained when the department grew the grass around the ponds to deter the birds.

The geese got used to the sounds of predatory birds over a loudspeaker and played in a blue goo sprayed around the banks to keep them away, he said.

``Other towns are paying thousands of dollars to have companies bring in dogs to chase the geese,'' DeMaio said. ``John is willing to do this for free.''